Combination cooling fan and heater



y 1929. Rs. HARDIN COMBINATION COOLING FAN AND HEATER Filed Oct. 22, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet l J r v Z A 3 I 7 Z y 2 1929. R. s. HARDIN 1,714,167

COMBINATION COOLING FAN AND HEATER Filed Oct. 22, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 21, 1929. R. s. HARDIN COMBINATION COOLING FAN AND HEATER Filed Oct. 22, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented May 21, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RAY s. mnm, or extreme, rumors, assxenoa 'ro 31mm ELECTRIC comm, or cnrcaoo, rumors, A CORPORATION or rumors COMBINATION COOLING FAN AND HEATER.

Application filed October 22, 1928. serlal lio. 314,118.

This invention relates to improvements in combined cooling fan and heater, and more especially to such a device which is electrically operated. r

Among the features of my invention is the provision of means for automatically reducing the speed of the fan when it is used as a heater. This is advantageous since it is desirable to have theelectric resistance element operate at a red heat. If the fan rotates too rapidly, the resistance element is cooled down so that it no longer glows. Consequently, I have provided means for automatically reducing the speed of the fan 16 when the heating element is actuated so that the same continues to glow when the device operates as a heater..

Another feature of my invention is the provision of means by which the electric resistance heating element may be used for reducing the speed of the fan, thus eliminating the need for extra resistance elements.

Another feature of my invention is the provision of a shroud around the fan to diffuse the blast. This causes a better circulation than if a concentrated blast is used, with the result that a greater area of space can be heated. The use of a shroud also causes more air to pass through the motor and thus increases the cooling of the same.

Other features and advantages of my invention will appear more fully as I proceed with my specification.

In those forms of devices embodying the features of my invention, shown in the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is-a View in front elevation; Fig. 2 is a View, partly in section and partly in side elevation; Fig. 3

is a wiring diagram for alternating or direct current; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing the method of fastening the screen at the back; Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing a modified form;

Fig. 6 is a modified wiring diagram for alternating or direct current, and Fig. 7 is a modified wiring diagram for alternating current.

As shown in the drawings, the device may comprise the usual electric fan motor 10, preferably a Universal motor, mounted on a suitable standard 11. The motor carries the usual shaft 12 having mounted on its forward end the rotatable fan 13.

14 indicates a shroud surrounding the fan, the same being tapered with its larger opening forward. This shroud may be supported in any suitable manner, as, for example, by the radial rods 15 attached at the r inner ends to the motor 10 by means of the screws 16. The shroud is attached to the rods 15 at their outer ends by means of the bolts 17. At the rear 'of the shroud thereis preferably a guard-screen 18 with its outer edge inside the shroud and secured between the outer ends of the rods 15 and the shroud by means of the bolts 17 (see Fig. 4).

The front opening of the shroud 14 is also preferably covered by a guard wire of suitable form, here shown as'a spiral wire 18, supported by radial wires 19, having their outer ends, as indicated by 19, clinched over the forward rolled edge 14 of the shroud 14.

Inside of the shroud is mounted an electric res stance heating element, indicated by 20, which, for example, may be a spiral coil of nicrome wire, suitably supported by insulatin'g members, here shown as glass, porcelain or lava, holders 21 carried by the inner ends of the radial supporting bars 22 having their outer ends attached to the shroud 14 by means of the bolts 23. The heating element may be in front of the fan, as shown in Fig. 2, or behind it, as shown in Fig. 5.

The terminals of the heating element 20 are secured to suitable insulating blocks 30 and 31 mounted at the bottom of the shroud 14 which carry the terminal connections 32 and 33, respectively, it being understood. that the ordinar electrical connections are made through t e blocks 30 and 31. The element 20 is also provided with a tap 34 between its ends to which the wire 35 is electrically connected.

The preferred wiring diagram for either alternating or direct current is shown in Fig. 3, where the longer and shorter portions of the electric resistance element 20 are indicated by 20 and 20, respectively. As shown in this diagram,the line wires are in- 100 dicated by 40 and 41. 42 indicates, in gen eral, a switch having a bifurcated arm with two contact ends 43 and 44, said switch be ing pivoted at 45. 46 indicates the operating handle. The wire 32 leads to a contact 5 plate 32*. 47 indicates a wire leading from the motor to a contact plate or button 47" under the contact end 43 of the switch, as it is shown in Fig. 3. Referring to Fig. 3 will show that the tap 34 is not midway between 11 the terminals of the heating element, but that the portion is somewhat longer than the portion 20".

When the switch is set as shown in Fig.

3, current flows through the portion 20 and ment, as indicated by 20,- is relatively low,

possibly about 10 ohms, For example, the resistance of the ortion 20 might be 6 ohms, and the portlon 20 4 ohms. Such 4 ohms resistance in series with the motor 10 does not appreciably reduce its speed. This length of resistance element 2.0 does not become very warm when the other portion 20 is not in use. In case it is desired to use the device for heating, the switch is moved so that the arm 43 lies on the button 32 and the arm 44 on the button 47?. In this case, current passes through the portion 20 of the resistance element and the motor in series, and current is also shunted around the motor through the portion 20 of the heatingelement. Puttingthis shunt through Ithe portion 20 of the heating element around the motor reduces the potential at 34 so that the motor speed is reduced.

When the portions 20 and 20 of the heating element are thus put in series, the entire heating element heats up to a red glow. The motor speed being reduced does not cool the heating element sufliciently to eliminate this glow.

To shut off the device entirely, the end 46 of the switch is moved to theleft (as viewed in Fig. 3) to break the motor connection entirely.

In Fig. 6,-I have shown a modified wiring diagram for either direct or alternating current. In this diagram, the line wires are again indicated by 40 and 41, the motor by 10 and the heating element by 20. In this case, I do not tap the heating element; but I provide an additional resistance element 50 of relatively high resistance, for

example, or ohms, to be used ordinaril for slowing-the speed of the motor when the device is used as a heater. The outer end of the resistance element 50 is connected to a contact button 51 and the other end to the wire 52 leading to the motor. 53 indicates a contact button to which is connected the wire 54 which is tapped into the wire 52 at the-connection 55. One end of the heatingelement 20 is connected to the line wire 40 and the other end to the contact button. 56 by means of the wire 57. 58 indicates a switch arm provided with an operating handle59, the arm being pivoted does not operate at all.- When the switch 58 is swung into vertical position it connects the buttons 51 and 56 permitting current to flow from the line wire 41 through the resistance element 50 and motor 10 in series and also through the heating element 20. In such case, the device operates as a heater, the resistance element 20 getting the full current, and the motor 10 being slowed down by. the resistance element 50. When the switch 58 is turned to connect the line wire 41 and the contact button 53, both the resistance 50 and heating element 21 are cut out, permitting the motor 10 to get the full current and operate at normal speed.

In Fig. 7 is shown a modified wiring diagram solely for alternating current. Here, also, the line wires are indicated by 40 and 41, the motor by 10 and the heating element by 20. As here shown, an auto-transformer of ordinary type consisting of a coil 70 with an iron core 71, the coilbeing provided with a series of taps 7 0, 70 and 70. 72 indicates a switch pivoted at 73 and provided with an operating handle 74. This switch is connected to the wire 75 leading to the motor 10 and by swinging the same on the pivot 73 connection may be made in the usual manner to any one of the taps 70*, 70 or 70. By this operation of the switch, the speed of the motor may be reduced. The heating element 20 is connected to theline wires 40 and 41 and may be controlled by a switch 80. In the operation of the device, as here shown, the switch 80 is used to turn the heating element on or oil. The switch 72 is used to start or stop the motor and various speeds may be obtained by moving the switch 72 to the; desired tap on the auto transformer coil 70. In use,

when the heating coil 20 is used, the motor speed is preferably slowed down sothat the glow of the wire will not be extinguished by the air blast.

It is to be noted that in my device, I slow down the speed of the fan so that the heating elementwill. stay red, when the device is used as a heater. If the heating element were made shorter, it might stay red even,

though the fan speed be not reduced; but

higher than it would be with a greater fan speed. This is desirable at times since, if the temperature of the air leaving the device is too low, it may feel cool to the touch. For example, a blast of air, even higher than body temperature, may 'feel cool to the touch because of the evaporation of body moisture caused thereby.

It is to be noted, also, that the spiral guard 18 is curved outwardly or convexly formed. See Figure 2. Such convex formation is desirable since it precludes the possibility of the device falling on its face and entirely shutting off the escape of air, with consequent overheating. With the convex formation, even though the device lies on its face on a flat floor, the ard will keep the apparatus raised a su cient distance to permit the escape of air.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in the appended claims, in which it is my intention to claim all novelty inherent in my invention as broadly as possible, in view of the prior art.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A combination heating and cooli device lncludlng; an electric resistance eating element; an electric fan with motor adapted to cause air to pass over the heating element; and electrical connections and switching mechanism b which current may be passed through the fan motor and a portion of said heatin element in series and also shunted aroun the fan motor throu h the remaining portion of the heating e ement, whereby the normal fan motor speed is reduced and the heating element heated.

2. A combination heating and 000 device including; an electric resistance eating element; an electric fan withmotor adapted to cause air to pass over the heating element; and electrical connections with switching mechanism by which current may be passed through the fan motor without substantially heating the heating element to operate the fan motor at substantially normal speed, or through the heatin element to heat the same and through the an motor and a portion of the heating element whereby the speed of the fan motor is reduced below normal.

3. A combination heating and cooling detion of the heatin rice including; an electric resistance heating element; an electric fan with motor adapted to cause air to pass over the heating element; and electrical connections with switching mechanism and a resistance element by which current may be passed through the fan motor without substantial- 1y heating the heating element to operate the fan motor at substantially normal speed, or throu h the heating element to heat the same am? through the fan motor and resistance element to operate the fan motor at a speed below normal.

4. A combination heating and cooling device including; an electric resistance heating element; an electric fan with motor ada ted to cause air to ass over the heating e e ment; an electricafconnection from the fan motor to a point on the heatin element between the ends thereof; and switching mechanism by which current may be passed through the fan motor and a portion of the heating element in series alone or through the fan motor and a ortion of the heatin element in series and also shunted aroun the fan motor through the remaining porelement.

5. A device as c aimed in claim 4 in which the electrical connection from the fan motor leads to a point on the heating element nearer to one end of said element than the other to divide said element into a long rtion and a short portion, and in which t current flowing through the fan motor and a portion of the heating element in series passes through said shorter portion of said eating element.

6. A combination heating and cooli device including; an electric resistance eating element; an electric fan with motor adapted to cause air to pass over the heating element; electrical connections and switchin mechanism by which current may be passefi through the fan motor without substantially heating the heating element, or throu h the heating element to heat the same and through the fan motor; and means for automatically reducing the speed of the fan motor when the heating element is heated, said means including means for passing current through at least a portion of the heatin element.

witness whereof, I have hereunto set myhand this 19th dafiAof October, 1928. Y S. HARDIIN. 

